Separation of Am (III) by solvent extraction using water-soluble H(4)tpaen derivatives

• Published in: Tetrahedron Vol. 71; no. 33; pp. 5321 - 5336
• Main Authors: Gracia, Stephanie, Arrachart, Guilhem, Marie, Cecile, Chapron, Simon, Miguirditchian, Manuel, Pellet-Rostaing, Stephane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: OXFORD Elsevier 19.08.2015
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry, Organic; Physical Sciences; Science & Technology; Htpaen ligand; Actinides (III); AMERICIUM(III); DESIGN; ACID; STABILITY; Solvent extraction; MIXTURES; MINOR ACTINIDES; LANTHANIDES(III); Lanthanides (III); Inter or intra group separation; LIGANDS; BACK; PROGRAM
• ISSN: 0040-4020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2015.06.015

The water-soluble ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethylenediamine (H(4)tpaen) and its derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for Am/Cm separation by solvent extraction. In this context, different ligands were studied for their possible use as selective back-extraction agents of actinides, especially americium, from an organic TPH phase. The solvent consisted of different extractants mixtures (DMDOHEMA/HDEHP or TODGA/TBP systems) and was preliminarily loaded with trivalent lanthanide and actinide cations. The aim of these new water-soluble agents was to strip americium or curium in an aqueous acidic phase in order to perform their mutual separation while maintaining other cations in the organic phase. A specific ligand bearing n-alkoxy groups connected to the pyridyl rings of H4tpaen showed water solubility slightly enhanced associated with efficient back-extraction properties with the possibility to perform simultaneously inter-group separation of Am (III) from Eu (III), and intragroup separation of Am(III) from Cm(III). (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.